In the space of just a few years, solar energy has gone from a curiosity to a global cause as government incentives, climate change, and grassroots activism have all helped drive greater demand for photovoltaic manufacturing and solar installation. According to Greg Sheppard, Chief Research Office at market research firm, iSupply, “Solar panel makers now are running their factories at 90% of capacity, straining their capability to meet demand.”
However, many believe that future demand could be threatened much sooner if certain countries continue facing severe labour shortages at various stages …

Ontario is creating the perfect climate for investments and job creation in its efforts to satisfy the province’s growing energy needs. Various incentives and renewable energy grants have already begun prompting companies, homeowners, and even farms to embrace clean energy options - just last month, OPEL Solar, Inc., a developer of photovoltaic (PV) ground-based and rooftop tracker systems, recently announced its expansion into the Toronto area.
As Ontario’s government continues to push its green agenda, many believe that the province will not only meet its 2030 deadline for sustainable energy, but …

With photovoltaic solar energy comprising approximately 80% of feed-in-tariff (FIT)-approved projects thus far, the prospects for Ontario’s solar energy industry are bright indeed. Currently, the Ontario Power Association (OPA) estimates nearly 20,000 green jobs and $9 billion in business investment could arise as a result of FIT-approved projects across a number of different renewable energy technologies. There may also be additional business stimulation at the local level, along the lines of the recent announcement from Toronto-based solar energy developer, OPEL Solar, Inc.
OPEL plans to increase production of its high concentration …

SunEdison, a subsidiary of NYSE-listed MEMC Electronic Materials, has recently announced an agreement with Ontario’s the Remington Group to develop 14 rooftop photovoltaic (PV) projects that will produce up to 3 megawatts of capacity. The agreement is for SunEdison to finance, build, own, and operate the solar panel technology to be hosted on the real estate and property management company’s facilities. The electricity to be generated, meanwhile, will be purchased by the Ontario Power Authority through its feed-in-tariff (FIT) initiative.
The 14 solar PV projects will all be located within the …

Scientists from Queen’s University recently completed a study praising the potential benefits of solar energy in Ontario. The study, which is to be published in Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, specifically highlights southeastern Ontario’s vital role in harnessing the sun’s energy through the use of ground-mounted and rooftop solar panels (photovoltaics).
According to Professor Joshua Pearce, lead scientist in this study, Ontario’s solar industry could provide the province with approximately 5% of its energy needs by installing rooftop solar panel technology on choice houses. This translates to roughly 5% of all …

As a construction consultant and electrical contractor, Luciano Di Leonardo is accustomed to structural challenges and electrical applications. He is also no stranger to renewable energy given that his Niagara- and Wentworth-based firm, DiLeonardo Construction Ltd and LDM Electrical Contractors, is located in one of America’s oldest “green” hotspots. This distinction dates back to the 1850s when the Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Mining Company first began laying hydropower infrastructure around the falls.
Di Leonardo’s custom home building, renovation, and electrical firm has a sizeable base of “green” clients looking for …

According to two recent studies by Queen’s University, solar power production in SE Ontario could potentially yield as much energy as all US nuclear reactors combined. These findings may come as a shock to anyone not directly involved with solar energy, but in fact, the sun is itself an incalculably large nuclear reactor capable of producing vast amounts of continuous energy uninhibited. The solar energy potential that earth receives in just one minute rivals all the world’s nuclear power stations put together. The two Queen’s University studies explored how this …

Why would a country like Great Britain become so focused on Ontario’s solar energy industry when rival solar hotspots, Spain and Germany, are so much closer?
Part of the answer lies in Ontario’s aggressive solar incentives. The province is certainly not the first to introduce solar-friendly legislation, but few have managed to rival Ontario’s offering. In October of last year, it revised its feed-in-tariff (FIT) language to reflect some of the newer policies outlined in the Ontario Green Energy Act. And in April of this year, approximately CAD$8 billion was awarded …

On Thursday evening, April 29, Ontario Solar Network will host its inaugural monthly networking event in which leaders within the province’s solar energy industry will discuss Opportunities & Challenges in Ontario’s FIT Program.
Originally organized exclusively for current members of the Network - the business association of Ontario Solar Academy’s alumni community - the event was opened up to the public once organizers received a flood of requests from those eager to discuss this topic.
Solar Pioneer and Industry Expert: Ron Mantay
The kick-off event will feature Ron Mantay, a board member …

Ontario Solar Academy (OSA) graduated another batch of students, providing a comprehensive introduction based upon NABCEP’s ten learning objectives, extensive hands-on experience, and a forum for becoming part of a growing solar network. However, the April class included two additions not present in earlier sessions.
The first change was the inclusion of James Fraser as a guest speaker from the Electrical Safety Authority. Using principles outlined in the Inverter-Based Micro-Generating manual, he explained the process his organization undergoes when approving solar PV installations for FIT/microFIT status. Fraser also led …